Shorter glad to be back on court after Houston problems

SHANNON Shorter could be excused for having a slow start to his career in the NBL.

Since the Adelaide 36ers signed Shorter as the replacement for reigning league MVP Jerome Randle, things have gone from bad to worse for the 28-year-old away from the basketball court.

The Houston-born point guard and countless family and friends were caught in the middle of the destruction of Hurricane Harvey back in the United States before he had even touched down in Australia.

Shorter and his family fled to Dallas as Houston was battered by more than 127cm of rain - close to its annual average precipitation - in four days.

The six-year pro eventually did make it down under and was quick to make an impact on the NBL before having to return to the States following a death in his family.

But, he has not let the devastation in his personal life slow his output under new coach Joey Wright.

The 193cm Texan has been rock solid at his new club, adding 13 points, six assists and four rebounds a night in his three games.

"Off course it is tough with the Hurricane and then my aunty passing, we are a really close knit family and she was a big part of our family," Shorter said.

"She kept us all together and I really needed that trip home to refocus and get my mental state right, my family helped me out a lot.

"I feel like after going home and coming back, I am starting a new season again and I am looking forward to trying to get a victory in Cairns this week."

The new 36ers leading man collected 19 points and six assists against Sydney last week and coach Joey Wright was full of praise for his point guard.

"Shannon showed why he is so valuable," Wright said.

"He was able to move the ball and get it to places.

"I thought he really controlled the tempo and played well."

The 193cm talent's home town Houston Astros have made their way to the MLB World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers this week and he believes a championship win would be uplifting for the city after Hurricane Harvey.

"I feel like sports brings people together a lot," Shorter said.

"After everything they have gone through in Houston, everyone is coming together to get behind the Astros."

The 36ers will be bolstered by former NBA veteran Josh Childress tonight in the Far North after being cut by the Denver Nuggets on the eve of the season.

The 34-year-old arrived in Adelaide from the US on Tuesday and went straight to practice where he had a shoot-around while his teammates had their main session.